It's the least likely place to find a king: beaten, bloody, dying upon the horrific Roman instrument of crucifixion, in the midst of two common criminals. That's the scene selected by the Church to portray Christ our King, today.

At His birth, Jesus, a King, is placed in a manger: another unlikely setting for royalty.

With these portraits of our King comes an understanding of the reign of God, which he proclaims. That heavenly reign is populated by those who seek it: in humility; by the poor and those rejected by society; by those who imitate their crucified King in love, forgiveness and reconciliation. For He did these things: even as he hangs on the
cross.

We live in a world with a lot less royalty than in past centuries. And yet we still can be tempted by our own brand of royalty and a love for the trappings of wealth and power. The voice of our crucified King, inviting us to Paradise along with the repentant thief, cuts through all that is shallow; all that cannot satisfy.